Jacques O’Neill is said to have turned down £60,000 to take part in 'Celebs Go Dating'.
Jacques O’Neill 'turns down Celebs Go Dating offer'
The former 'Love Island' star - who quit the ITV2 dating show earlier this month because he was not feeling himself - has reportedly been approached by the E4 show's bookers following his villa exit, but he is keen to wait for Paige Thorne, who he coupled up with during the series.
A source said: "It’s very early days and bookers for Celebs Go Dating have only really just got started.
"But an Islander always makes for a great signing and Jacques is a real stand-out, particularly because he’s already shown that he’s willing to put the work in and really change.
"That’ll make him a really credible candidate for the agency’s help, never mind be someone that fans would tune in for."
While the 23-year-old rugby league player wants to keep himself available for 24-year-old paramedic Paige, she is currently coupled up with Adam Collard in the villa.
The source added to The Sun newspaper's TV Biz column: "But Jacques wants to wait for Paige so it may well be too late by the time she emerges."
Jacques clashed with Adam during his time in the villa after the 26-year-old personal trainer started getting to know Paige when he appeared on the show as a bombshell earlier this month.
It is Adam's second appearance on the programme after first starring in the 2018 series.
Following his 'Love Island' exit, Jacques has said appearing on the show was the "worst decision of [his] life".
The sportsman - who was previously diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) - explained: "I thought if I don’t get myself out things could go horribly wrong and I could get physical.
"Doing 'Love Island' was the worst decision of my life. I was ready to break down. I was feeling so mentally drained, I just wanted to go home and get myself right.
"It broke me and I was already broken. I was crying my eyes out. I couldn’t cope.
"I was literally feeling awful. It was the worst I’d ever felt in my life."
But he has received support from a number of former 'Love Island' stars.
He said: "A lot of past islanders have messaged me. It started with Liam Reardon, Faye Winter, they messaged me first, they explained what it would be like on the outside.
"I really appreciated that so much."
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